I hired a caregiver once a week to help me with my dad at his condo. We hired her to clean and do some cooking. He smokes and I found out today that she sits and smokes with him and is also on her phone when she "visits" with him. She does a great job cleaning but I am totally bothered that she smokes while she is there. I also feel if she is visiting and keeping my dad company that is fine but I'm not happy that she sits at the table with him on her phone. We hired her through Comfort Keepers and my dad doesn't want me to complain but I feel she is taking advantage of the situation. Does it seem inappropriate to anyone else that she smokes while at his home?
I say if your dad is ok with it, you should be ok with it The phone is slightly different. A GOOD carer is not that easy to come by ... be happy dad is happy with her !
And if she can do a good job cleaning and cooking and still have a little time to sit and talk with him, that is a bonus!
Does she use her cell phone briefly to inform her next client when she will be there, check in quickly with her own elderly mother, etc ... or use it for extended conversations? I think that would be of concern to me. You can ask Comfort Keepers what their policy is about phone conversations in the client's home.